The Wonder of Pregnancy & Birth

1. The Wonder of Pregnancy & Birth By: Amanda Davis

2. National Geographic, The Human Body • 2002 • Educational film • This movie followed the stories of 3 different people. Each situation was different in showing how amazing the human body is in adapting and healing. • One story was about an infertile couple wanting to try in-vitro fertilization, in hopes of getting pregnant. • Although doctors can really play God, it is still up to the human body to create that baby and carry it to term!

3. My reflections after viewing “The Human Body”… • The tidbit in this movie about in-vitro/artificial insemination, is amazing. • Thank goodness for technology! I cannot believe what a gift doctors can give women who cannot conceive on their own. • It has been some time for my husband and I trying for a baby & we have not had any luck. We may have to go this route. • I am not thrilled about the idea of daily hormone shots to raise the levels of eggs produced by the ovaries, but it is amazing that because of advances in science we have figured out that it can be done. • And I fear that huge needle they inject into the uterus, scary! But the thought of a higher likelihood of multiples is something that my husband and I welcome!

4. Birth Without Violence • 2008 • Educational film • Based on the writings of French obstetrician Dr. Fredrick Leboyer, exploring alternatives to western child birthing methods. • Focused on 3 methods: calming welcoming environment, chanting/breathing, and massage.

5. My reflections after viewing ”Birth Without Violence”… • This video shows ways other cultures aside from the western culture treat childbirth and infancy. • I loved the different ways that they showed that women can relax and make the birthing experience more special. • I really enjoyed the segment where the mother massages her infant. He just seems so happy and calm. It is such a precious time for both mom and baby. • I love the idea of welcoming a baby at home and with dimmed lighting and no sound. • Giving the baby time to adjust to his/her new world is so nice, as opposed to being plunged into a harsh world where it is poked and prodded right after birth.

6. The Business of Being Born • 2008 • Documentary • Birth: it's a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. • Ricki Lake sets out to find answers after a disappointing birth of her first child.

7. My reflections after viewing “The Business of Being Born”… • This movie seems to have an agenda! • I love how this movie follows the lives of 3 women during this journey, “right of passage” as they call it. • Although it is somewhat graphic I loved it because how real it is. • The women in this movie are so brave to expose themselves during that most private time, thank you ladies! • Because they have shown me that I can take back control of my birthing experience, I want to do so. • At home birth seems so much better than going to the hospital!

8. Pregnant in America • 2008 • Documentary/True Story • This movie follows the pregnancy and birth of a young couple, while they attempt to interview individuals in the medial industry, to get real answers about what is happening to women and babies during labor and delivery in hospitals.

9. My reflections after viewing “Pregnant in America”… • What an eye opening video! • I loved how this couple went all over the world to get answers. • They were able to interview people in the medical field and it amazed me what kind of responses and attitudes they got. • All in all, it seems like the hospitals cause the problems during child birth. They make the whole experience very impersonal.

10. Orgasmic Birth: The Best Kept Secret • 2008 • Documentary that challenges western ideals of childbirth . • Women can take control of their birthing experience to the point of it being actually pleasurable.

11. My reflections after viewing “Orgasmic Birth”… • This video was not at all what I thought it would be. • This video was just telling women how they can enjoy their birthing experience. • Women can take their minds to another place of calm and joy and because of this they can almost eliminate the pain associated with childbirth. • The video said that if the conditions are right, a woman may experience an orgasm, but the goal of the video is to educate women on how to take in every second of their labor and not rush through it. • Women are encouraged to be intimate with their mates, (i.e. hugging, kissing, holding each other) during the hours or minutes leading up to the birth.

12. Childbirth From Inside Out • 2008 • This is part 2 of a series hosted by physician and internationally know scientist Dr John Tyson. • This video offers a straightforward approach to safer and healthier childbirth.

13. My Reflections after watching “Childbirth From Inside Out”… • This movie is a step by step tutorial about being pregnant and the process one should usually go through when planning to give birth. • This movie was very graphic, the most graphic I have seen yet, but it has also been the most educational. • I loved how they gave you a plan to go by. They told you things to expect at the hospital and they even gave tips on how to take care of baby once you have gone home. • This movie was wonderful for my educational purposes. My favorite movie so far.

14. Final Thoughts… • I am still teetering back and forth between a home birth and one at the hospital. I can see the benefits to both but I can also see the draw backs to both. I just have to weigh them for me, as to what is most important. • I will continue to search for information about pregnancy and child birth, after all women have been doing this for decades. • I want to be informed for my pregnancy and child birth. I want to know that I did all I could to make the experience the best it could be for both my husband and I and our new baby. • KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!